Engaging Students in a Meaningful Mathematics Harkness – Sandra Schinetsky

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2020 Workshop Talk | 31:08 | 7-12, Math

Summary

This workshop promises to empower math teachers to use the Harkness method to further their students love and understanding of mathematics. If we are to be truly classical, then we must require students to reason about and critique mathematics the way mathematicians, scientists, philosophers, and theologians have historically done. Mathematics is a way for people to understand the world around them, and by having students participate in a Harkness discussion about mathematics and God we are allowing them to see the purpose behind their mathematics education. We are giving students the opportunity to find meaning to mathematics in their own lives and to cultivate their mathematical affections. In this workshop, participants will experience a math Harkness themselves to better utilize Harkness pedagogy when discussing mathematical concepts. Grading rubrics will be shared as well as classroom management strategies that foster dynamic conversations in all levels of math courses. Finally, a plethora of Harkness topics will be presented so that every participant will be equipped to lead a Harkness discussion in a math class.

Speaker

Sandy Schinetsky just finished her third year teaching at Regents School of Austin and her 10th year of teaching overall. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Louisiana State University and taught in Louisiana public schools before moving to Texas. She currently teaches algebra I, geometry, and pre-calculus; however, in the past she has taught sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade math. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2011 at her school in Louisiana and was a finalist for District Teacher of the Year. Although she loved teaching students in Louisiana, she chose to move to Ann Arbor Michigan to work in the athletic department at the University of Michigan as their tutor coordinator for student-athletes . When she became pregnant, she and her husband decided to move to Texas to be closer to family, and that is when she discovered and fell in love with the classical Christian community through Regents School of Austin. After teaching in a classical Christian school, she knows she will never be able to teach in any other environment, and she thanks God daily for the opportunity to discuss her Christian faith with her students in the mathematics classroom.

Additional Materials

  Talk Outline

The Association of Classical & Christian Schools presents Repairing the Ruins, the ACCS annual conference, copyright ACCS. You may make additional copies of this recording for use by your school but please do not sell any copies of the recording, or post it on the internet.